The revamp is part of a £5.5 million refurbishment project to make improvements to Orchard House, Clinique Pinel, Rosewood House and La Chasse.
It was announced following the publication of a damning Scrutiny report, which told of islanders in mental health “crisis” being secured in prison cells rather than being sent to a specialised facility, as it catalogued a series of the island’s mental health failings.
Pictured: The Health Minister, Deputy Richard Renouf.
Speaking to the States Assembly last week, in answer to a question brought forward by Deputy Kevin Pamplin, the Health Minister said that flooring, decoration and internal renovation were “broadly on track to be complete this year.”
He added that “some slippage” had been caused by managing “extreme pressure” on the ward in November.
A government spokesperson explained that for a period in November, the unit had been at capacity with all 17 beds occupied and a number of patients requiring additional support due to their levels of need. “Whilst this was not unprecedented, it was at the higher end of activity usual for the unit,” the spokesperson explained.
Scheduled decoration works were therefore put on hold for a few days, while additional care staff were brought in and senior management support increased to help staff and patients.
Pictured: A planning application has gone in to install CCTV outside Orchard House.
The Health Minister also told the Assembly that, as part of improvement to the ward, all staff had received conflict management training, to help reduce the risk of behaviours of concern and workplace violence and been given personal alarms.
A planning application has also gone in to install CCTV outside the ward.
Discussing the changes made in therapy provision, Deputy Renouf said the ward would soon be recruiting an activities co-ordinator.
“At the moment, the qualified Occupational Therapist on the ward engages patients on a 1:1 basis to complete assessments of need. Currently there is input from a clinical psychologist on two half-days each week,” he added.
Pictured: Bibliotherapy is one of the new activities that will be introduced on the ward.
Despite the promise that new activities would be introduced – following concerns about the lack of therapeutic provision available – it appears the choice is still limited for islanders, as the Minister only mentioned “green activities” – exercise and walking – in addition to baking and meditation.
He added that as part of the ongoing development of the service, staff are developing the provision of supported therapeutic activities for patients, in order to maintain and improve physical as well as mental health. However, the Government would not release details about what activities are considered.
The only information released relates to “bibliotherapy” – in other words, using books to help solve personal problems or for therapy.
“This includes reading materials and workbooks to address specific mental health concerns and develop positive coping skills e.g. life skills development, mindfulness, relaxation or deep breathing. These can be used in a supported way with staff, or individually,” a government spokesperson explained.